What’s An Offset Smoker, Anyway?

Okay, let’s cut to the chase: You know what they are and you know what they do – otherwise, you wouldn’t be here looking to buy one, right?

But in case you’re still wondering how to use offset smoker, let me put it like this: If you know how to build a fire using charcoal or wood, you’ll know how to operate an offset smoker.

Yes, it’s that simple!

If you think about it, the name pretty much says it all:

Out of the two barrel-like chambers, one serves as a firebox, while the other works as the actual cooking chamber. Once you fire it up, all that heat and smoke travel through the smoker and find their way to the meat – unleashing a variety of mouth-watering aromas along the way!

Things To Consider When Choosing The Best Offset Smoker

Now that we've covered the basics, let's answer the most critical question of all: How can you be sure you chose the best offset smoker for your needs?

1. Quality Construction Should Be Your #1 Priority

There are quite a few essential factors to consider here, but it all comes down to one thing: How sturdy and durable does the smoker’s construction feel?

So, before you place your order, pay attention to the following things:

Material – The material used is one of those deciding factors when it comes to assessing the unit’s quality. Everything else can be picture-perfect, but if the metal body is thin and flimsy, the smoker will be no good. Steel that has at least ¼ of an inch in thickness is the gold standard here.

Seals – Remember why you’re buying the best meat smoker, instead of a regular grill: Smoke retention. Now, let me ask you how you’re supposed to achieve that if the smoke keeps seeping through the gaps in the seals left and right? That’s not the only problem with poorly welded seals, though – it can also affect fuel efficiency and temperature control, too!

Structural Strength – You don’t want to end up with something that feels like it’s going to fall apart any minute now, do you? That’s why you should always pay attention to details: All the latches and hinges, legs – and even wheels – tell a story about the unit’s durability!

Bonus Tip: Make Sure It’s Portable

These things tend to be quite hefty to haul around – even short-distance transitions around your backyard can prove to be a team-lift endeavor. In situations like that, a set of sturdy wheels and durable handles can be an immeasurable convenience.

2. Cooking Area: The More, The Better

For us, size and capacity are one of those “make or break” factors. John’s well-known among our neighbors for his barbecue skills, so whenever we fire up the grill, we can expect a few friendly faces to show up at our door.

We don't mind – the more, the merrier! But that means buying a unit with a small cooking chamber, however great it may be, wouldn't work for us. That’s why I strongly recommend you to base your decision on your lifestyle.

John’s Secret Weapon For Making Perfect Patties Is The Best Burger Press – Give It A Try!

3. The Right Temperature Is Key For Perfectly Smoked Meat

You get the best results when you smoke your meat low and slow – everyone knows that. But ask any barbecue enthusiast what the real secret to mouth-watering, smoky-flavored meat is, and they’ll tell you it’s hitting the perfect cooking temperature.

How can you know if the cooking chamber reached the desired temperature, though? By opening the lid all the time? I hope not – that would only result in heat and smoke escaping the chamber!

What you should do, though, is make sure that your new smoker has a calibrated built-in temperature gauge. That way, you'll be able to keep your eye on the internal temperature at all times.

Bonus Tip: Don’t Forget The Seasoning

No, I’m not talking about herbs and spices – I’m talking about curing your new smoker! Manufacturing and shipping can leave a lot of debris behind on your new smoker and burning these contaminants away before you use your smoker not only keeps your food tasty but ensures that it’s chemical-free, as well!

4. Beware Of Bargains

“If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”

Low-cost offset smokers are overflowing the market – everyone seems to be into smoking their meat at home these days!

And while you might think that a bargain-priced smoker is still better than no smoker at all, remember that spending a bit more now, and buying a long-lasting, high-quality unit, could save you money in the long run.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I do believe you can still find a good-quality smoker without burning a hole in your wallet – if you want proof, check out my best offset smoker reviews!

Bonus Tip: Pay Attention To Warranty

With the proper TLC, you can expect your offset smoker to last you a lifetime. Nevertheless, manufacturing defects and other unfortunate circumstances are still a possibility, and having a decent warranty included in the offer could give you some much-needed peace of mind!

Most Recommended Offset Smokers: Detailed Reviews 2019

There’s no point in maxing out your credit card to get the best smoker grill combo. There are some excellent offset smokers on the market that come with relatively reasonable price tags – and you’re about to meet one!

It was the two-in-one nature of this Royal Gourmet model that grabbed my attention straight away. Yup, you read that right: While the focus here is on finding you the best offset smoker, why stop there? Why not get a smoker-grill combo?

With a total of 800 square inches of cooking space, it should be more than enough to feed your family – plus a few unannounced guests. Speaking of space, you’ll get plenty of that for prepping and storage, as well, thanks to the steel mesh front table and a matching bottom shelf.

I loved the addition of a warming rack, too – smoked meat isn’t meant to be served cold, anyway. One minor issue I noticed was that the paint job doesn't seem like it's going to stick around for long if you know what I mean.

I don’t think it’s that big of a deal, though – performance-wise, the smoker works perfectly!

The rule still applies, but there are always exceptions - the Artist Hand Offset Smoker is a deal you can’t afford to miss! The smoker features a total cooking area of more than 800 square inches, provided that you use both the main chamber and the firebox as cooking surfaces.

And speaking of cooking, you’ll be doing that on cast iron grates, which, in itself, promises a certain level of durability. Moreover, they have a non-stick coating, which makes maintenance a breeze!

I'd say this is a perfect choice for someone who's just now venturing into the world of smoking meat at home.

That said, I didn't like the handles: Upon closer inspection, I found they’re sitting a bit too close to the surface to make it safe to open and close the lid barehanded.

Plus, I don’t think the light finish is the best choice for an offset smoker. Imagine all the grease and charcoal build-up showing on them!

Cons

You've seen the cheaper models, and the high-end stuff is yet to come. You know what that means, don't you? It's a perfect moment to show you what the middle ground has to offer. Enter Char-Broil Deluxe Offset Smoker.

Mind you, even though the price might be somewhat “average,” the features are everything but!

The best thing is that if you ever get tired of smoked meats – although I don’t see that happening any time soon – pop in the three additional grates, and turn the entire thing into a huge charcoal grill!

If you decide to do so, you’ll have a cooking surface of over 900 square inches – more than enough to get you through the largest of family gatherings.

The fact that you only get a one-year warranty was odd, to say the least. I mean, shouldn’t these things last a lifetime – or at least the next ten years or so?

I'm not sure if I should count this as a legitimate downside, though. It’s probably more of a personal shock than anything else, but I still thought you should know about it.

Cons

If there were a textbook definition of a "large and in charge" offset smoker, this would be it!

You'll notice right away that it features an additional vertical cooking chamber. And since I wanted to show you what else is out there, I couldn’t miss the opportunity to include it in my round-up of the best offset smokers.

The smoker is constructed out of thick, powder-coated steel. Paired with properly welded seals, it provides an outstanding level of heat retention.

And speaking of heat, the two built-in thermometers are conveniently placed to help you keep track of the temperature in both chambers.

All in all, if you’re serious about smoking your meat, you’re going to love the monstrosity that is the K Top Deal XXL BBQ Offset Smoker.

Now, naturally, being a high-end model, it comes with a particular price tag – one that wouldn’t fit everyone’s budget. If money isn't an issue, though, you should seriously consider getting one of these.

Cons

Last, but not least, you should check out the Chloe Rossetti Classic Charcoal BBQ Offset Smoker! What genuinely stood out was the fact that it works with both charcoal and wood.

Now, if you know your offset smoker recipes, then you probably know this allows you to experiment and maybe play around with a variety of flavors using different types of wood.

Talking about it is enough to make my mouth water! 🙂

The smoker has a steel body, which promises a certain level of durability, and it comes with some handy features, too, including a built-in temperature gauge, a few extra shelves, as well as wheels!

The only thing I didn’t like is the way it looks. But before you accuse me of being petty, let me explain: I gave it a fair trial, and it performed pretty decently, for that matter. That said, I can't get over the fact that the wooden parts – both the shelf and the handles – give off this "unfinished" vibe.

Maybe it’s just me, but it somehow makes the entire unit look flimsy – and that’s not a word I like to use for any of my kitchen tools and gadgets!

Pros

The smoker features a steel body

It comes with an integrated thermometer

Works with both charcoal and wood

It has two additional shelves for storage

It has a set of wheels

Cons

exclamation-triangle

The wooden parts look “unfinished”

Wrapping Things Up

Simple, but effective – those are the words I would use to describe any of the meat smokers in my round-up. But we still have to have a winner, don’t we?

Barbara Whitney

For the last 20 years, I’ve been cooking, preparing, researching, and gathering recipes, tools, and knowledge about food and the way we prepare it. Raising two lively boys and spoiling one great husband later, it’s safe to say that I’ve optimized my kitchen to deliver the best possible meal, no matter the occasion.

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